notes for a better world Archives : Page 3 of 5 : Tranquil Trekker

Can we be friendly towards those with different political opinions?

After reading the book “Travels with Charlie”, by John Steinbeck, I discuss how many aspects of US society, that Steinbeck noted in 1960, are still true today.

Author’s Note: I want to be VERY clear that I am NOT endorsing ANY political view with this post. The critiques I outline below apply to ALL of us. I truly believe we can (and should) ALL do better. (Also, this comes from the perspective of an American speaking on how I see political views playing out in the US. I can’t speak to how things work in other countries.)

A while back I read Travels with Charlie, by John Steinbeck. This is a great story to read if you’re on a road trip since that’s what the book is about. 😉 It is set in the fall of 1960, as Steinbeck and his faithful poodle, Charlie, set out to explore the country. (Steinbeck wanted to rediscover it before he died.) I was struck by how many things he noted that seem to still be relevant today, almost 60 years–and a HUGE technology boom–later…sometimes the old adage is true, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Life isn’t simple anymore:

Steinbeck bemoaned the fact that people are always rushing around in the big cities and on interstate highways. He felt like they didn’t have time for chatting or pleasantries, that there was no real contact between them anymore. He felt like everyone just kept to themselves and in their own little world…

Imagine what he’d think of today’s world, where everyone is too preoccupied with their noses in their phones, or their earbuds entertaining them, to pay any attention to the world around them. 😮

Steinbeck thought everything was too mechanized, that there was too much technology in his modern world. He believed this made life too easy which gave people too much free time that they then filled with worry…

Things like mobile phones, the internet, and computer-driven machines hadn’t even entered popular culture yet. What would his opinion be of today’s Brave New World? He thinks things are bad in 1960, wait till he gets a load of the “always-on” society of the new Millenium! 😋 Does his theory help to explain why so many people suffer from anxiety in our modern world? Do we have such–relatively– easy lives, and consequently so much free time on our hands, that we have lengthy periods to “think” ourselves into an unnecessary panic?

Steinbeck felt regional cultures around the country were becoming too homogenized. That local dialects and customs weren’t as noticeable as he remembered from his childhood, he felt like they were all becoming too mixed and similar. He believed this was due to people moving all over the country and living in different places from where they grew up…

You have to wonder, if this was true way back then, how much worse is it now when people regularly move all around the world? On the other hand, does some good come from this? When we travel and move to places that push us out of our comfort zone, we are exposed to new ideas and cultures. I think that makes us more tolerant of and more educated about other viewpoints. Wouldn’t this experience then help to enrich our lives?

People are afraid to be honest with each other…

Steinbeck felt like there weren’t enough people, at that time, who would stand up for what they believed in. He mentioned how people didn’t want to talk about politics with their friends, families, or close confidants anymore. He lamented the division that he saw in the country…

It is interesting to think that, on the eve of one of the most turbulent decades in modern US history, he could feel like people wouldn’t stand up for what they believed in. The ’60s ended up being full of protests and people doing exactly what Steinbeck wanted to see more of, marching for what they felt to be just.

What would he say about the political situation in our country today? Plenty of people march and advocate for their rights, but others are afraid to speak up for fear of public shaming. I personally know people who won’t be open and honest with their closest friend or family member regarding who they plan to vote for in the next election because they’re afraid of negatively impacting that relationship. To me, this is a sad commentary on the state of our nation, that we can’t have differing opinions yet still respect each other.

A House Divided Cannot Stand

Steinbeck talked about fighting with his Republican sisters (he was a self-professed Democrat) when he visited them, in his hometown, in California. They would call him a Communist for his liberal views and he would compare them to oppressive tyrants like Genghis Khan because of their conservative opinions…

Sound familiar? Things DEFINITELY haven’t changed on this front! I think it’s sad how you see so much of this today. In the US, Republican talking heads call Progressives “mentally ill” or “crazy”. In contrast, Progressive talking heads refer to anyone who doesn’t agree with them as “bigoted” or the ever-popular “Nazi”. I know it isn’t just here in the States either. I’m not super familiar with the politics of other countries, but I’ve read enough to know there are similar debates in those places, as well.

Why do we treat each other this way? I don’t understand what we can possibly hope to achieve with it. Is the majority of “the other side” really that bad? I don’t think so. Especially when those people consist of our friends, neighbors, and family members, who we otherwise love and respect.

I think our differences come less from one side being “right” or “wrong” and more from the fact that we misunderstand each others’ perspectives. I also believe that people on both sides of any given issue are often ignorant (intentionally or otherwise) of the plight that others face. I read once that “you should never criticize someone else’s views unless you can explain them. Because, if you can’t explain them, you don’t actually understand them”. I think this is incredibly apt. I believe we need to stay humble and realize we may not always be as “right” as we think we are.

Steinbeck mentions a reporter who was beaten and his camera smashed for covering certain demonstrations that were occurring. He states that the few, screaming people who were acting badly will be on tv and will end up representing that entire area or group. Unfortunately, no one will know about the many, good people from that same region or social category who just want to go about their daily lives. He describes the media in his day as, “…all the polls and opinion posts, with newspapers more opinion than news so that we no longer know one from the other”…

WOW! He could literally be writing about almost any newspaper or cable TV, news outlet in the country today! It amazes me, with all the time that has passed and the many changes our society has gone through, how similar Steinbeck’s world was to our own.

It’s interesting, but it’s sad in a way too. You get the impression that not much has changed. In some ways, it may have gotten worse with the rise of social media and the reach of the Internet. You also get the impression we haven’t learned much in the last six decades. Will things change much in the next six? I’m not sure I hold out much hope…

Can people of different political views be friendly toward each other?

Why do we fight so much and treat each other so badly? I just don’t understand it. Why does it always have to be “us” vs. “them”? Why, if someone disagrees with us, do we automatically have to see them in a bad light? Why can’t we each just have different views and opinions?

I have friends and family members that were raised in VERY similar situations as myself and with VERY similar values, yet we’re on completely opposite sides of the political spectrum. We may agree there is a problem, but have opposing viewpoints on how to solve that problem. Yet, for both of us, the desire to see the problem solved comes from a place of love and caring for–and wanting to help–our fellow man.

Why can’t we use that as a cornerstone to build on, rather than calling each other names and finding ways to divide ourselves, when our values and beliefs are often similar? We all have to live on this big, blue ball together. Can’t we figure out a way to work with each other?

To Conclude

Steinbeck died in 1968, however, the politically charged climate that he saw wasn’t much different than the one we face these days. I wonder what he would say about our modern world, and if he’d ask, “can’t we all just get along?”

So I challenge you, dear readers, to try to understand where someone from an opposing political viewpoint is coming from. I’m not asking you to change your stance on any issue but if your question is, “how could anyone believe that?” I encourage you to look more closely at their viewpoint. Honestly ask someone that holds that view to explain why they feel the way they do and then try to listen and understand with an open mind, an open heart, and without judgment.

I think if we take the approach that most people are good inside, even if they hold very different beliefs than we do, and we give them this benefit of the doubt, it would go a long way to making this world a better place for all of us.

How do you keep the peace between friends and family with opposing political viewpoints? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Weeding as a Mindfulness Exercise

In this post, I discuss the peace that I take from the practice of grounding, which can be practiced by simply engaging in outdoor chores, like weeding.

This may sound odd, but I find weeding and gardening to be a mindfulness exercise (nobody tell Mr. Trekker that! 🤫)

Some people find things like folding laundry, cleaning the house, or doing dishes to be meditative. While I can see their point, those chores just don’t do it for me. 🙃 For whatever reason, weeding and flower gardening are some of the only activities (aside from outdoor recreation) that I find actually calm my racing thoughts. Though I may get tired when completing these tasks, I don’t get bored. Time doesn’t drag by. I find I’m often, satisfyingly surprised at how much I can get done in a short amount of time.

I read an article about people who have gained a substantial following on Pinterest showing off their techniques for keeping their houses so clean. While the writer agreed completing these tasks can be satisfying, she also worried seeing the level of cleanliness that others are able to maintain could add stress for some people, as they may not feel they can live up to those standards.

I can understand either perspective. I don’t intend to make anyone feel bad if they don’t always find time to keep up with their yard work. I can only speak to my personal experience. I am just regularly amazed how my mind, that constantly swims with numerous thoughts on various subjects, can be completely calmed just by working in the dirt a bit. Maybe this is why I’m Nature Girl! 😉

These activities also give me the opportunity to think through–and sometimes resolve–issues I’ve been struggling with. In distressing, stressful times, I find comfort in “playing in the dirt”. When I can get my hands busy with tangible tasks, I’m able to focus on just one idea at any given moment. On other occasions, my mind is actually able to completely relax and let go.

I think some of this is due to the fact that it’s incredibly satisfying to complete a physical task and see that something looks “better” after you’ve finished with it. I feel a lot of satisfaction when I look out the kitchen window and see flower beds that are well-maintained, where, just a few, short hours ago, they were shaggy with weeds and grass.

I think in our modern world, where so much of the work we complete is often either on a computer or even web-based, you can spend an entire day putting large amounts of energy into work–and can potentially accomplish quite a lot–but it isn’t as satisfying. There is nothing you can hold in your hand (or a desk free of piles of work) that allows you to feel like, “I made that happen”. There is something very real in the physicality required to complete tangible tasks.

There is some scientific basis for these feelings. “Grounding”, or “earthing” is a concept based on the idea that modern life keeps us separated from direct contact with our natural environment, much to our disadvantage. The theory is that the earth maintains a slightly negative electrical charge, while our bodies build up an excess positive charge, an effect of inflammation over time. So, coming into contact with the earth helps to bring us back into equilibrium. You wouldn’t be surprised to learn that these ideas are a bit controversial. 😮

Another blog I like, The Wellness Mama, offers a more in-depth explanation of these practices. While some studies are ongoing, nothing substantial has been proven regarding these theories…yet. The National Center for Biotechnology Information offers two of the more serious, scientific studies that have been completed on the topic, one of which discusses the health benefits of gardening. They can be found here and here.

Something special just seems to occur when our bodies come into direct contact with nature. I’ve spoken before about the peace I (and many others) feel in a connection with the natural world. The idea of forest bathing comes from this same connection. Humans spent eons living as a part of nature, that’s how we evolved. Is it really so far-fetched to believe there may be true health benefits found in a literal connection with that world?

In our modern existence of artificial lighting, artificial air, and artificial substances, is it any wonder that a lack of that connection may have detrimental effects on us?

Some of this starts to get into the outer limits of what science can currently prove, so I can understand if people may be a little skeptical. I’m not trying to suggest that playing in the dirt is the magic cure for all that ails us. But, I do feel better when I engage in a little gardening, so aside from a few dirty fingernails, what can be the harm?

A patch of purple and white iris — Just because I love it when my Iris’ are in bloom!

Do you find there are meditative qualities in simple, hand’s-on tasks? Tell me about them in the comments!

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Summer Solstice: The Longest Day

I discuss my feelings on the longest day of the year

The Summer Solstice, also called “Midsummer”, is the longest day of the year. Despite the name, most people don’t think of this date as the middle of summer (especially in parts of the country like the Black Hills where it isn’t unusual to see snowfall well into May! 😮) The calendar says today is the first, official day of the warm season, though that doesn’t feel quite right either since many of us have been enjoying warm weather for a while now…

Reflecting on the Summer Solstice

Today is always a day of reflection for me…

I’ve written extensively about my struggle with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during the winter months. I’ve also discussed how I look forward to the Winter Solstice because our waning daylight finally begins its triumphant return after the shortest day of the year. Ironically the opposite extreme, the Summer Solstice, always makes me a little sad.

While I don’t struggle with SAD symptoms this time of the year, today is always a bit of a “downer” for me. Don’t get me wrong, I FULLY appreciate the more than 15 hours of sunshine we enjoy in the Northern Plains this time of year. 😎 But I will miss the sun, that bright companion that makes even the most difficult of days just a bit more cheerful.

Now that our daylight will be slowly decreasing, I won’t miss getting woken up at 4:00 every morning. My body is VERY sensitive to daylight so, if it’s light out, I’m awake. 😛 (This is especially troublesome when you have a bedroom that faces east). It got so troublesome I had to start wearing a sleeping mask to block out the daylight. 😝 It can also be a struggle to go to bed at a decent time when it stays light and warm out till almost 10 pm, and I need to get to sleep because my body is gonna wake me up again at 4! 😛

On this, the day of the year with the longest amount of daylight, I enjoy sitting on the back deck in the early morning, watching the sunrise, before the sounds of children playing outside and neighbors mowing their lawns takes over. The combination of the leafy and pine-needled greens that surround our backyard, combined with the cacophony of birds tweeting, complete with the dampness that starts the day, makes it almost feel like you’re in the middle of a rainforest. It’s a great time for reflecting, meditating, and/or journaling. We can’t hold on to daylight any more than we can hold the waves in place on the sand. So, we have to be fully present in each moment we are blessed with and embrace the joy to be found there.

Origins of the Summer Solstice

People who practice the Pagan religion call this day “Litha”, special ceremonies are even held at Stonehenge to commemorate the many hours of sunlight. In recent years I have developed my own little celebration. I try to get up early so that I can enjoy both the sunrise and sunset on this day. I try to spend as much time as possible experiencing every moment of today’s daylight. I want to soak up as much Vitamin D as I can, to start storing it up for the shorter days to come. 🌞

To our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, you can enjoy your “season in the sun” for a while now. Don’t get too comfortable with it though, we’re going to take it back in six months! 😎

Do you have any traditions to celebrate the longest day of the year? Tell me about them in the comments!

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A Day in the Life of a Freelancer

In this post, I detail what I learned from my experience working as a freelancer.

Author’s Note: I wrote this article several years ago when I was working as a Freelancer, writing grants, online articles, and doing some consulting. Unfortunately, COVID brought that opportunity to a grinding halt (though I now have a more typical “9 to 5 job” I’m still blessed that it’s very flexible and it allows me to frequently work from home.) I thought people may still find my Freelance experience interesting though and I do hope to return to this type of work someday.

I cannot express how thankful I was that I was able to seize this opportunity. My thanks especially go out to my amazing hubby, as without him this wouldn’t have been possible (both emotionally and financially). A word of warning, this type of work is not all roses and sunshine. It’s hard work, there isn’t a lot of job security and it requires a large amount of personal discipline. But the freedom it gave me to live my life as I chose made it all worth it!

Can you freelance in most professions?

Freelance work covers a wide range of industries. It can be anything from online writing, web design, or consulting to an artist who is contracted for work or a person selling beauty products or supplements on the side.

A freelancer could be a stay-at-home parent who babysits other people’s children in addition to their own, jobs like Uber, or a dog walker. Basically, it is any service contracted between you and another party, for any type of payment.

Payment may not even be financial in nature. While I firmly believe no one should work for “free”, it isn’t unusual to do at least some freelance work for no financial compensation. Instead, “payment” could include experience earned, connections made, or even just the hope of future dividends paid. I got started as a volunteer and this eventually morphed into a paid opportunity.

Freelancing can be a physical job based on a hand-shake with a real human, or a gig in the new, online workforce where you may never meet or even see your client face-to-face. Literally ANYONE can do this!

Is freelancing a “real” job?

The answer is a resounding YES! (and it can be TOUGH!) Freelancing often gets a bad rap. It’s become more and more accepted and normal in the past few years (especially during COVID), and trends suggest this will only continue into the future.

But many people (and even some businesses and potential employers) treat it with condescension. They think all we freelancers do is sit on the porch all day, sipping on lemonade while we type on our laptops.

To be fair, there is a little truth to this idea (says the woman who is currently typing on her laptop while sitting on the porch. 😇)

But many don’t realize the effort that goes into freelancing…

A freelance job is stressful

I didn’t fully appreciate just how stressful freelancing would be when I first started. There are things they don’t tell you about this “dream job”. For one, you literally don’t get paid unless you’re actively working. That may seem silly to say, but you don’t realize just how tiring a day of work can be until you don’t make a dime unless the project is delivered and completed, to the client’s liking. Whether it takes you two hours or two days to complete the project, the payment is the same. Even if you bill a client on an hourly basis, you have to justify every minute of that hour.

At a typical hourly (or even salaried) job, you get paid for those breaks you take to run to the coffee machine, or the bathroom, or to stop by a coworker’s desk to discuss a project (and end up shooting the breeze for the next 20 minutes). As a freelancer, you don’t, you literally have to work for every…single…cent you make. It’s a wonderful, flexible, exhilarating, rewarding experience, but it’s also tiring. I can honestly say I felt more tired at the end of the day, working part-time from home as a freelancer, than I almost ever have working a normal, 9 – 5, hourly job.

There is a lack of job security with freelance work

There is also the financial strain of fluctuating, irregular income, and extreme job uncertainty with freelance work. While no job is “guaranteed”, people with long-term employment are usually pretty comfortable that their job will still be there next week or next month. With freelancing, there is virtually no job security. There are some contracted positions, but those are usually only “guaranteed” until the current project is complete (and as we all learned with COVID you can be laid off at any time, with little to no warning.) Most freelancers are continuously seeking out new work.

Freelancers work an irregular schedule

You can spend days or weeks with almost no work, and then a big project will crop up with little notice (which is wonderful, for the money and experience, but it can cause a lot of sudden stress and really throw off a family routine).

Please understand I don’t intend any of these statements as complaints. I LOVED working as a freelancer and hope to return to it someday. I am VERY aware of just how fortunate I was to even be allowed this opportunity. I just want people to understand that just like any job, working for yourself has its challenges, as well.

Freelancer pearls of wisdom

I learned a lot through my freelancer experience, and I know a lot of freelancers who are striving to make their “side-hustles” work, so I thought I’d pass on a few pearls of wisdom:

–Freelance work is INCREDIBLY rewarding. This was one of the only jobs where I actually felt like I EARNED every single dime I made (don’t tell any of my “real” bosses I said that! 😛) That felt REALLY GOOD!

It was ironic, I made less working as a freelancer than I had in more than a decade, but I felt more proud of the work I did and the income I received. It reminded me of when I first started working in high school. Even though the checks weren’t large, I knew I busted my butt for every single dime I received (of course, then Uncle Sam comes in and takes his share…😤)

–I find online freelance work can be surreal. It IS work, it takes time, planning, and mental energy. But it doesn’t FEEL “real”. Depending on the type of work you do, tt may not be unusual to only communicate with clients via email or online messaging. You may never hear their actual voice, or even know what they look like! Then there’s also the fact that your work is magically sent into the ether that is the World Wide Web, and then, a while later, if the client is pleased, money magically appears in your bank account. 😮

I’ve gotten several jobs through Upwork, a freelance matching service. There are several platforms like this out there that allow freelancers to connect with potential clients around the world. I’ve worked with companies as far away as Seattle. Living in western South Dakota, just a few, short years ago it would have been hard to even connect with a place like this.

–I am still somewhat amazed that you can actually make a decent income, literally working from your backyard. I have learned that there are actually legitimate companies out there that will pay you a decent wage to work from home. It takes a little luck to get established and to find some of the connections, but once you get over that hurdle, depending on the time you have available, your internet connectivity, your skillset, and your determination, you can make a decent career for yourself as a freelancer.

–I liked being able to pick and choose what companies I wanted to work with and what projects I wanted to work on. Obviously, if I was picky, that meant less money in my pocket. But it enriches your work life when you don’t have a boss forcing you to work on a project you aren’t interested in or being forced to work with a company you don’t respect.

–I had to learn about things like quarterly tax payments to the state, and “estimated tax” to the Federal government. Ugh, every time I had to deal with the bureaucracy involved with these my Libertarian heart grew a little larger (and I say that as a former State employee living in a business-tax-friendly state! 🤑)

–Then there’s the constant bane of my existence, the one act of blogging that makes me want to rip my hair out and throw the–not inexpensive–laptop across the room…the dreaded coding. 🤮 I HATE coding! I’m learning to do it, though I’m still an extreme novice, but I HATE it. I know, this is an unpopular opinion, and I probably just made a bunch of “Women-in-STEM” advocates cringe, 😉 but I can’t help it. I HATE it! 😋

I find coding is a tedious process. The more I understand, the more I can use it, but it just doesn’t spark my interest. A lot of people really enjoy it, and I can kind of understand why. It is like a puzzle that needs to be solved (kind of like math, which I also HATE! 😉)

But for me, the time spent trying to figure out why that stupid heading INSISTS on remaining in the middle of the page just feels like a waste of time. It’s probably mostly that the blog isn’t making much income at this time. That’s ok, that’s how these things work and I understand that. The hope is that it will pay dividends in the future. But I think the stress of spending hours fighting the code would be much easier to handle if a hefty salary came along with it. 😛

Goals I was able to achieve in my attempt at freelancing:

- - I’ve was able to develop a decent portfolio of online travel writing that served me well in long-standing jobs
  - My grant writing career didn’t progress like I hoped it would. COVID, and the resulting economic decline saw to that. I did find I could only focus on a few projects at once, so having one or two clients I could place all my focus on was much better than having to divide that focus out among numerous agencies.I originally started by providing volunteer services. I learned A LOT during those years, and am happy to say that knowledge paid off as several grants I submitted were approved for funding. It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to help local, non-profit agencies that I care about and can see literally helping people in my own community, to be able to continue to provide those necessary services.
  - For a short time, I was able to work as a consultant for a local agency and was able to pull from several previous jobs to succeed in that position.
  - Regarding the blog, I have learned SO MUCH regarding marketing, social media, and coding and I’ve even begun to master the much-dreaded SEO. 😮 Don’t let anybody kid you, maintaining a blog can be a full-time job in itself. But I’m excited to say I’m finally starting to see some success and growth!

You won’t find a more flexible, family-friendly work environment than that of a freelancer. But, there’s also the stress that comes from uncertain job security and the financial strain that’s caused when you move away from a steady, full-time income (and benefits). This is made far easier for anyone who can lean on a partner or spouse for financial support or things like health insurance, but not everyone is in that position, which makes freelancing even more difficult.

To Conclude

Many people pursue freelancing on a part-time basis as the ever-popular “side hustle“. This is a GREAT way to get started, it’s also far smarter and more secure financially. But it poses problems of its own…

We’re all busy, trying to carve out time in our days around work, house chores, dealing with kids and/or elderly parents, or working around busy family schedules. Finding time to fit in an additional job, especially one where you may not make much money for the first several years, can feel like an insurmountable obstacle.

I pursued this endeavor under the best of circumstances (I was financially able to lean on a partner for support and we don’t have kids), and I STILL felt the stress and eventually failed at my endeavor (at least for now. 😉) I can’t imagine how people who deal with additional stressors manage. So to all the other freelancers out there, trying to make it as a pioneer in this new, gig economy, my hats off to you!

Have you done freelance work? What have you learned? Are you interested in becoming a freelancer? What additional questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!

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Ode to an Old Friend

In this post, I remember the life of a wonderful dog!

After 12 wonderful years, we finally had to say goodbye to our family dog. We aren’t sure exactly how old she was. We adopted her as a young adult in 2007 so…she was at least 13 and could have been closer to 15, just based on the information we were given at the time of adoption. This sweet, spoiled canine led a good, long life!

Allow yourself to feel grief

Sometimes “adulting” is hard. I’ve spoken before about how we don’t like to experience any pain in the modern world if we can avoid it (and frequently we can). There’s usually a pill that will at least help to dull the ache. Pain is never completely avoidable in life, though. One of those unavoidable heartaches is the loss of close friends (be they human or animal). Grief sucks…and it HURTS!

We must keep in mind though, that this feeling of loss we are forced to experience from time to time is actually a sign of a good life. That pain means you had something to love, something that added joy to your life, to begin with. We should consider ourselves blessed if we have things in our lives that hurt so much to lose.

The Trekkers have been preparing for this eventuality for quite a while. For the last several years, we’ve watched our dear friend, slow, lose her hearing, and the ability to fully enjoy many activities she used to delight in. The dog who once–with enthusiasm–drug our butts all the way up and down the 6,683-foot Mt. Mitchell, in North Carolina, became a greying friend who could barely make it around the block.

Our furry friend led an enjoyable life. Since 2007 she’s accompanied us on countless hiking and camping adventures, traveled with us to both Indiana and New England to spend holidays with our families, and relocated more than 1700 miles across the country with us when we moved from North Carolina to the Black Hills of South Dakota. (She glared at me from the back seat of my Civic through every mile of that trip 😂! This is a dog who used to get carsick after less than 15 minutes in a car, which made things interesting those first few years. 😛)

We adopted her from the Wake County Humane Society in Raleigh, North Carolina. For anyone living in the area, this is an amazing place. They provide an incredibly comprehensive survey to help match you with your ideal pet, and they provide support services after adoption (such as behavior counseling) if needed.

Happier memories of times past:

Black and tan dog lays on the back cushions of a sofa — She LOVED to sleep on the back of that couch (it did not survive her)! 😂

(View from the rear) Dog walks in front of a woman down a trail in the woods — Dragging Mommy down the trail…

(View from the rear) Dog walks down a snowy trail in front of a man — Dragging Daddy through the snow…

Black and tan hound dog stands on a rock in the forest — She loved getting outdoors!

In case it isn’t obvious from the pictures, this pup was spoiled rotten. 😉

We received her terminal diagnosis several months before she died, so we were very blessed to get to spend so much extra time with her. She ended up outliving the vet’s prognosis by several months! We were so happy that she hung on long enough to be able to enjoy laying in the sun and rolling in the soft, green grass of spring again.

I have to say a huge, “thank you!” to the staff at Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic as well. They took such good care of our friend for the last eight years, she actually enjoyed going there. On her last day on earth, she happily walked in the front doors, excited to see the friends she had made there. The staff made a difficult and painful experience as easy as possible to bear.

We were fortunate to have more than 12 long years with our friend, and I like to think she was pretty happy with her human pack members as well.

We should all strive to live life like a hound dog!

Goodbye old friend, you are missed but you will never be forgotten…

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Reduce Stress by Embracing Mindful Minimalism

In this post, I provide a list of mindfulness and minimalism practices I use to keep my sanity when I’m stressed.

I hate that feeling when your mind seems to be racing out of control. When you’re so hyped up, your whole body feels like it’s trembling. It’s like you’ve ingested too much caffeine…you feel like life and your brain is careening out of control and you just can’t seem to relax. The more you try to focus on something the more it seems to slip through your mental fingers.

Yet you notice, perplexedly, when you take a breath and are able to relax, that thoughts come easier. You can remember and focus when, just a few hours ago, you couldn’t hang onto a thought for more than a few seconds…read on for tips on how to lessen stress using Mindful Minimalism.

Signs Your Body is Stressed

Tight stomach muscles…taught shoulders…you feel the dull ache of a tension headache at the back of your neck…then your eyelid or cheek starts to twitch…your lower back and shoulder blades are tense…there’s the occasional, weird twinge in your chest or abdomen…sometimes a lightheadedness kicks in, complete with difficulty focusing and a dazed sense of, what could almost be described as, disorientation…you may have trouble sleeping, or experience sleep disturbances or strange dreams…

These are all signs that our body is telling us, “YOU ARE STRESSED AND NEED A BREAK!” You know the stress is building when you notice these signs.

My understanding is some of the stranger symptoms, such as the lightheadedness and disorientation, occur because we have a tendency to unconsciously hold our breath– or at least breathe shallowly–when we are tense and stressed. This leads to lower oxygen levels and the disconnected, lightheaded feeling (it doesn’t help that I have chronic sinus and inner-ear problems that mess with my equilibrium 😋).

How to Use Mindfulness and Minimalism Practices to Reduce Stress

I’ve learned to take heed when these symptoms show themselves. At the first sign of them, I immediately try to kick my mindfulness, simplicity and minimalism practices into high gear. I focus on meditation, physical exercise and taking slow, deep breaths. I also try to focus on only one task at a time while keeping the distractions as minimal as possible.

In the age of our always-on, always-connected lives, many people are starting to feel that our brains are being overwhelmed, present company included. Below are some of the procedures I employ when I notice these symptoms and realize I need to take a little “me time”:

Digital Minimalism:

This may seem odd for a blogger, and full disclosure, I do use multiple social media platforms for the blog. However, I try to focus on them ONLY for the blog.

I do use them to stay up-to-date on certain subjects, mostly travel-related, and to keep in touch with long-distance family and friends. I also peruse the occasional political site to keep up with the news, as well. But I consider it a good sign when the platform is “nudging” me that I haven’t been posting much.

Prioritize Minimalism in All Areas of Your Life:

- - - - I try to minimize the distractions caused by music and television (unless I’m focusing on them as a means of relaxation).
        
        I try to focus on other relaxation practices such as coloring or writing in a journal.
      - I’m big on simplicity. I don’t wear much jewelry, and what I do wear tends to be small. I find one of my biggest irritations in the morning is how much time I waste “getting ready” (and the fact that Mr. Trekker can do it in half the time it takes me 😋). So, to counteract that, I keep that process as simple as possible. I don’t mess with my hair much, most days I don’t even dry it. I wear very little makeup, I don’t even own a bottle of hairspray anymore. 😋
        
        I’ve never been a very showy person (says the woman with a nose ring and tattoo, but hey, they’re both small! I suppose “showy” is in the eye of the beholder. 🙃) My tattoo is simple, consisting of only one color and a little shading. Both can be hidden if I choose.I prefer these methods of beautification because they are simple and constant. They’re there but are blessedly low maintenance. Often times I completely forget about them. They allow me to show off my own personal flair but in a subtle and simple way.

(To be clear, this isn’t intended as any sort of judgment on people who do prioritize beautification more. These methods are just part of the way I keep life simple. I was also always way too lazy to take the time to learn how to do much regarding my hair or makeup anyway. 😛)

Make Lists (LOTS of Lists!):

I’ve always been a fan of list-making, but I find during times of higher stress it’s even more helpful. It relieves stress because, when you write things down that you need to keep track of, you don’t have to “stress” 😉 about remembering them anymore.

This also helps with maintaining focus as you have fewer thoughts bouncing around in your head. I always carry a pen and a small notebook with me so, at a moment’s notice, I can write things down I don’t want to forget. You can also use the “notes” or “reminder” function on your phone, but I’m partial to the “old school” method.

Stress Makes Everyday Life Harder

High levels of everyday, mental stress make it more difficult to handle real problems when they actually occur. As an example, a “low-tire” light on a car, while not usually more than a nuisance, can feel like an insurmountable obstacle that you don’t feel like you can handle when your mental energy supply is already depleted.

One of my biggest struggles is feeling like IhavetorushandgetmytodolistdoneasfastasIpossiblycan!!! (That’s difficult to read, right? Yeah, that’s just a glimmer into the everyday workings of my foul little mind. 🙃)

Inevitably I find I allow myself to get stressed about all the things I need to do throughout the day or week. Sometimes they are legitimately urgent (in which case they go to the top of the Mental Energy Priority Pile). But more often than not, they’re just everyday tasks that need to be completed. Things like errands, groceries, chores around the house and various work tasks. These issues are by no means life and death, they’re just part of normal living. Inevitably I find I ALWAYS manage to complete them (quite often, faster and more easily than I thought I would). And if they take a little extra time to finish, guess what, the world somehow still continues on. The sun still rises each morning and sets each night, the birds still sing in the trees…

The trouble with all that stress I bring on myself is that when I complete the task and realize all is well…I still have all that negative energy built up…and then I start stressing about how to relieve THAT! 😛🙄

To Conclude:

Ultimately, it’s not healthy for us to maintain all the strain that we hold on a daily basis. The rates of anxiety and stress-related illnesses keep increasing in modern society. The saddest part of this is, that most of our lives aren’t even that difficult. We are literally making ourselves sick with illnesses that harbor potentially lethal consequences…over “First World Problems”. We all really need to CHILL OUT! 😉

More and more I’m finding that implementing mindful, minimalism practices helps with controlling my anxiety and stress-related symptoms. I hope this list helps you (and I) work toward a more serene life.

How do you implement Mindfulness and Minimalism practices to help reduce everyday stress? Let me know in the comments!

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Final Thoughts on Low-Carb Lent

In this post, I outline what I learned when trying a low-carb diet.

Several years ago I tried going low-carb for my Lenten Fast. Honestly, it didn’t go very well…

I did a pretty good job of staying away from grains (my primary goal) but I ate potatoes…and fruit…and drank soda. I ate a hard-core, hearty, wild rice medley on a few occasions, as well as bread ONE TIME (that was more out of necessity and it had actual seeds in it!) 😉😝

It still floors me that foods of this heartiness can somehow be “bad” for you (assuming you don’t have outstanding medical conditions). These types of seemingly counterintuitive ideas still make me a little dubious that this low-carb craze is really best for every body type. 🤔

Going Low Carb is Hard!

I think I mentioned it before, but in case I didn’t make my feelings perfectly clear then…this diet is a PAIN IN THE A**! I wasn’t expecting it to be as hard as it was, and I wasn’t expecting to come to LOATHE it as much as I did.

Cravings weren’t the problem, those actually weren’t too bad and I have experience dealing with those. What I wasn’t expecting is how INCREDIBLY inconvenient this diet is. That is what I found to be the most difficult part. People never talk about that factor.

As an example, you may have to go to multiple stores to find what you need as it’s not easy to make substitutions. I can’t imagine trying to work the diet around the palate of a picky child (this picky adult struggled 😝).

Perhaps for people in more metropolitan areas, this isn’t as much of a problem. But for those of us where the nearest Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods is 400 miles away, it can be a bit of a hindrance. 😝

The main takeaways from my low-carb experiment:

- - This diet is EXPENSIVE (compare a bag of almond flour to a bag of regular flour sometime)! 😝
  - This diet is difficult if the entire household doesn’t commit to it. You either have to end up making multiple dishes to keep everyone happy, or the special food ends up posing a HUGE inconvenience to anyone not committed to it. (This seems unfair to them, in my mind, if you’re pursuing the diet for non-health-related reasons.)
  - Unless you live in a warm climate where you have regular, easy access to fresh fruit and veggies all year round–or you have your own large orchard/garden to get these goodies from and can easily preserve them for later–you can end up needing to go to the store multiple times per week to keep getting fresh foods. The stuff that’s good for you spoils quickly, especially during the warmer months. (Oh, and have I mentioned that fruit has carbs in it). 🙄
  - I was hungry quite a bit. That probably means I wasn’t eating enough protein, but dear God, how much meat can one person stuff their face with? 😝
    I probably should have chowed down more on the vegetables too, but as I’ve said before, I have a sensitive gag reflex regarding veggies, I can’t explain why. Ever since I was a child, a certain texture or “green” flavor hits the back of my tongue and it’s like my stomach lurches and my throat closes up. At that moment, any appetite is instantly gone (of course it comes back later, with a VENGENCE).
  - I found that I thought about food ALL THE TIME. I was CONSTANTLY thinking about what I was going to make for the next meal (or the next several meals)…and whether or not I needed to stop at the store while I was out running errands (or make a special trip out just to go to the grocery store)…and if I DID need to go out which store, specifically, did I need to go too? It was EXHAUSTING! 😝
  - I also noted more instances of heartburn when I went low-carb. This seems odd, as most of the research I’ve done makes it seem that low-carb diets should help with heartburn occurrences. Maybe this is further evidence that my body doesn’t really need a low-carb diet? Or, maybe I’m just suffering the effects of getting old. 😝
  - In a previous post, I talked about feeling like carb-heavy meals made me feel full of air, whereas protein-heavy meals left a more substantial, full feeling. I will say, when I eat mostly protein and vegetables, I feel like there are still a few holes missing. Like a piece of bread or some crackers could just perfectly cap off the satisfying meal.
    I found it interesting that this desire did not slacken AT ALL across the six-week fast. (I’m also taking it to mean it’s ok if I eat some carbs since it seems like that’s what my body wants. 😁)

The most surprising thing of all, I found this diet to be depressing, and I mean that in the most literal way. For me, it kind of sucked the joy out of eating. It required so much thought and planning and was so limiting of foods I truly enjoy, that it made me not even want to bother. I couldn’t help feeling like, “what’s the point”?

Going low carb made me miss out on some of my favorite foods

I’ve said this before but I’m sorry, I can’t give up things like pizza, or noodles, or brownies. Not entirely at least. I may be able to reduce my consumption of them, but as long as these things aren’t making people in our household sick (and at this point in our lives they aren’t), I can’t give them up entirely.

At some point, giving up these things starts to make life less fulfilling. I’m not sure if that’s emotionally unhealthy, to put that much emphasis on food, but I think it’s how a lot of us are. Food reflects our cultures, in both a macro and micro sense, so I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way. It brings us comfort and happiness, it’s called “comfort food” for a reason for heaven’s sake! 😉

I’ve said it plenty of times before, but I’ll say it again, I’m a Midwest girl at heart. We show love through food (this includes some of the most fattening, most DELICIOUS meals you can think of). 😝 I enjoy eating, plus, I was fortunate to grow up in a family of good cooks who passed their recipes on to me (Mr. Trekker doesn’t complain). 😉

Related posts: Yummy Keto-friendly recipes!; Yummy Low-Carb Foods; A Sustainable Low-carb Lifestyle

I enjoy foods that bring back memories of family dinners and happy times. This diet takes A LOT of those emotions away. If I don’t require it for health reasons, why would I want to limit myself like that? So, lessening, yes, substitutions, sure, but complete exclusion of certain foods, I don’t think so. 😝

There were a few good takeaways from my low-carb experience:

- - I found it interesting how much I became aware of my eating practices (such as how many “white” carbs I generally consume that aren’t good for you. Also, how frequently I eat them). I do hope to continue better practices in the future regarding snacks (trail mix and peanuts rather than chips, for example).
  - Another thing I found is you can usually “eat-paleo” at just about any location, you just may need to get creative. (I say “usually” because I actually found that I could not find ONE low-carb dish at one of my favorite restaurants. Hey “Pizza Joint”, they have invented this stuff called “salad”.) 😝As an example, take McDonald’s. You can eat a burger (or two) and salad, just hold the bun. Technically, you should also hold the cheese and ketchup, but I wouldn’t. 😝 (This hearkens back to my point about, “why bother eating, at some point?”) Obviously, McD’s isn’t the healthiest choice, but in a pinch, you can make places like this work.

Going low carb is a complete lifestyle change

I LOVE to eat, so it has to be exciting, it has to be a treat. If it isn’t, I’ll never be able to maintain a lifestyle change such as this. As long as my household remains healthy, where the foods we eat aren’t making us sick (such as with Type 2 Diabetes, Gluten Intolerance, etc.) I’m going to stick with what enhances my life. After all, if we aren’t enjoying it, what’s the point?

If Mr. Trekker or I needed a diet like this for health-related reasons, that would be one thing. I can commit to a lifestyle change with that kind of motivation. But that’s really what this diet is, it’s a full-scale, lifestyle change. If you aren’t willing to commit to it fully, I would dissuade you from it.

In the end, I’m glad I tried the experiment. I learned that my body does seem to respond better to a higher protein and fat diet (with whole-grain carbs included). As an example, if I have a sandwich for lunch, white pasta for dinner, or cereal for breakfast, my stomach is growling LOUDLY (and I am STARVING) just a few hours later.

In contrast, if I eat something higher in protein (a thick piece of steak, pork, or chicken) mixed with veggies, or breakfast with bacon, eggs, and potatoes, I can usually make it 3 – 4 hours without feeling hungry. This makes sense, as basically, fats and proteins burn more slowly than carbs (though I do notice that “non-white” carbs, such as brown rice, millet, and items with whole grains, stick with me better).

So, based on this, in the future, I’m going to pursue more of a “slow-carb” diet rather than a “low-carb” diet. This allows for whole-grain carbs and, I think, will fit far better with the Trekkers’ current lifestyle (and my patience level).

So my take-away after six weeks of going low-carb…I won’t be “going Keto” (or Paleo) anytime soon!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with some soft, Easter Dinner rolls!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Have you tried a low-carb diet? Tell me about your experiences in the comments!

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Use Mental Energy Wisely

This post is about being purposeful and mindful with how we spend our limited supply of daily, mental and emotional energy.

I was sitting at one of our favorite overlooks on a recent weekend, with a panoramic view of the gorgeous, Black Hills countryside (see the picture above), and I couldn’t help thinking…our world is such a beautiful, amazing place. So, why aren’t people happier?

It seems that my social media feeds are full of people outraged over the scandal-of-the-hour; anxious about imminent dangers that could befall them and those they care about at any moment; or convinced that the overall state of our world is in steep decline. But are these thoughts many of us carry around on a regular basis helpful?

Most of us are just striving to be a productive employee, to keep the house from falling apart, and to keep control of a hectic schedule. Are these additional stressors a wise and productive use of our mental energy? Could the stress of these additional stimuli to our already overstimulated lives actually be detrimental to our overall health?

Be Careful with how you Use Mental Energy

Sadly, it is true that there are bad things that happen in the world every day. With the internet, multiple social media channels, and 24-hour news coverage we can easily be made aware of each and every one of them. But is this a good thing?

I think it’s good to be aware of problems in our world* as this makes us informed citizens. Being informed helps us to make better choices when we’re choosing our leaders. It helps us to know what policies our legislators are looking to enact (or what rights they may be looking to rescind). It’s also important to be informed of what problems our world is still facing in the modern age.

*Each person has to decide for themselves what constitutes a “problem”. Different issues are important to different people, as is the severity of any one issue in comparison to any other. An issue one person finds to be incredibly important, another may think is minor. I’m not here to tell you what you should care about, but simply to discuss a more productive way to prioritize what we care about.

I think it’s important to be aware of what is occurring around us, both in our local communities and the larger world. However, I think this concern becomes detrimental when we allow ourselves to become hyped up regarding numerous issues that we are made aware of throughout the day, week, month, and year.

It seems logical that if we are constantly worked up about given issues, both our mental and physical health will eventually suffer. This constant angst isn’t healthy. It can, understandably, cause depression as it leads to the impression that each day the world gets a little worse (as you will see later, this idea is NOT backed up by statistics).

Don’t take my word for it…

How is our current “information age” hurting us?

Anxiety in the West: Is it on the rise?

What is depression and why is it rising?

Why The World Is Getting Better And Why Hardly Anyone Knows It

Now for the good news!

The world is not actually going to hell in a handbasket:

Extreme poverty around the world is decreasing

Around the US, rates of violent crime are down

Life expectancy is increasing around the world

The statistics show that the world, in general, is continuing to get better. People are living longer, healthier lives. We live in a world that has greater access to opportunities and information (thanks to technology) than ever before in human history.

I’m not trying to suggest we should become lackadaisical with issues we care about. Even if improvement has been seen in recent years, this doesn’t mean that further improvement isn’t called for. But we can take a moment to step back and appreciate the gains we have achieved, and allow ourselves a little break.

Mental Energy is Finite

Our daily reserve of emotional and mental energy is finite. We only have so much available to us on any given day. We have to be purposeful in choosing how we use it.

It’s like saying that every day you wake up with $25 in your pocket. You can spend it on ANYTHING you want, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. You don’t get any more until tomorrow and you can’t borrow from anyone else. Once you’ve spent that $25 for the day if anything else comes along that requires those funds, it just has to suffer and go without.

This is important! Because we only have a given amount of energy available to us each day, we need to be mindful of how we use it. With our 24/7 access to events that are occurring throughout our world, we have to intentionally avoid being constantly stimulated by these. As there are so many things that could potentially sidetrack our energy, I think it’s important that we be purposeful and prioritize how we choose to expend that energy.

We each have to decide for ourselves how much we want to let the problems of the world take over our lives. I frequent multiple social media channels. On each, I see some people (emphasis on SOME) who seem to be outraged, every single day (often multiple times per day) over various issues.

While I believe their hearts are in the right place, I worry that thanks to modern media, we are constantly being exposed to events that we never used to be aware of. While the issues may be completely factual and worthy of concern, do each one of us need to be concerned with every single event? If you live in West Virginia, is it really a good use of your emotional energy to debate with a stranger on the internet about another stranger’s child who fell into an animal enclosure at a zoo in Arizona? 😝

While caring about these things makes us wonderful, compassionate people, at some point in time, we run out of emotional energy. At that point I wonder, are we really able to do any good to any of the causes we find so important when our reserves are spread so thin? Would it not be better to focus more on a specific issue?

Each person will have a different tolerance for how much energy they have available to expend. The reserves that each of us has within ourselves may even wax and wane as we work through the trials, tribulations (and joys) of everyday life. I just think we need to be selective on how we choose to use our personal energy reserves.

This may come off as selfish and that is not my intent. I don’t think we should only care about things if they directly affect us and hinder our daily lives in some way. We should be concerned when others are facing struggles. But is every negative event that occurs throughout the world deserving of all of our personal, precious emotional energy? Even if it doesn’t affect us or anyone we know personally? Even if it has no effect on our local community or even our larger state/province/country?

Perhaps we can better use the precious resource that is this energy on problems that are closer to home. Or, at least, maybe we should pick one or two issues to focus our attention on, rather than allowing ourselves to try to tackle every single one of the world’s problems.

To Conclude:

Ultimately, regardless of what happens today, the sun WILL come up tomorrow. Birds are still tweeting in nearby trees; babies are still crying at their mothers’ breasts; the trash still needs to be taken out. 😉 I think there are numerous issues and situations in our world that are deserving of our concern as human beings. But our personal, emotional energy is a precious gift. It is also a limited resource. I think we each, individually, need to be selective of where and how we use that resource.

This is a good way to reduce the stress in our lives. We need to be mindful and purposeful with how we use our concern in a world full of things to be concerned about. It is perfectly acceptable to say, “I don’t have the energy to put toward that today, I need to focus on my own mental health/family/community.”

Do you have any suggestions on how to better prioritize mental and emotional energy? If so, share them in the comments!

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Mindfulness and the Open Road

Who wants to go on a road trip?

I love going for drives, I absolutely LOVE them. I love lengthy road trips too (as anyone that’s followed this blog for a while should know) but I also love just simple drives around the countryside. It’s hard to describe the feeling of peace and freedom that comes from the open road.

I enjoy drives by myself on winding roads (just me and my Honda, dancing through turns). I also enjoy them with Mr. Trekker, my trusty side-kick, and usually, the primary driver. He’s probably one of the only people I can stand being stuck in a car with for days on end. 😁 (This is another good sign to watch for if you’re considering marrying someone. The question isn’t just can you tolerate, but do you actually enjoy lengthy car rides with your significant other? 😁 )

Can you inherit wanderlust?

I maintain it’s not my fault that I have this crazy obsession with the open road, it’s in my genes. I seem to have inherited my maternal grandfather’s wanderlust. He used to love to “go for a drive”. Oftentimes, he’d invite us grandkids along (it didn’t hurt that this usually meant there was a Wendy’s frosty in your future if you went 😉). I can remember my grandma asking him, “why are you going this way?” His response was always, “I already went the other way!” (Duh! 😉) I firmly endorse this statement!

Mr. Trekker even knows if he’s driving us somewhere, we can’t go the same way twice. Why would we go home the way we came, we already saw that stuff today?! 😝

Can wanderlust be taught?

I don’t think this desire is all Nature though, I blame Nurture, as well. I went on numerous road trips throughout my childhood, with both my parents and grandparents. I rode along with my paternal grandparents, one year when they returned to their home in Kansas after a visit to Indiana. I also rode to Florida for family vacations several times as a child. I even helped my maternal grandparents drive there on a few occasions, as I got older and they started wintering in the warmer climate. My parents and I also took numerous trips to New England over the years, to visit family.

As it turns out, there were times Mr. Trekker and I may have been quite near each other, throughout our childhood, as he grew up near where the family we were visiting lived–we didn’t actually meet until college though. He also shares my love of road trips, probably due, in no small part, to the highway adventures he enjoyed while growing up. His parents took him throughout New England, as well as to countless Civil War battlefields up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

Songs about the Open Road

There are a few songs that well relate my love of the open road (click on the link on each title to hear the full song):

In “Take a Back Road”, by Rodney Atkins, the lyrics state:

…Gotta get outta here, get it all off my mind
And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home
Put a little gravel in my travel…

These lyrics speak to me because there are times when I feel like I need to escape from the stress of daily life.

…Tear down some two-lane country who knows?
Get lost and get right with my soul…

We shouldn’t be afraid to go the long way through the countryside, things seem to fall back into balance after spending a little time on the open road.

I’ve been cooped up, tied down ‘bout forgotten
What a field looks like full of corn and cotton…
…I need the curvin’, windin’, twistin’ dusty path to nowhere…

I, personally, could never forget the sight of a field. I grew up surrounded by them (and still live by the prairie). But that isn’t the case for everyone. A lot of people are constantly surrounded by a concrete jungle. I think this separation between us and our evolutionary roots with the natural world causes angst for people. Getting out on the open road helps us get back in touch with those roots.

In “Backroad”, by Granger Smith, the lyrics state:

Barbed wire fence carving out a hillside, cutting holes in the midday sun
Like a postcard framed in a windshield covered in dust
I love the rhythm of an old grey blacktop
Steer the wheel, one-handed on a two-lane, hugging that line
I got the windows down, no one else around singin’…

I used to be incredibly outgoing and extroverted. I would get re-energized just by being around other people. These days, I’m still outgoing, but more and more, I prefer quiet and solitude. Mr. Trekker and I can spend several days in the wilderness, with just each other, the pup, birds, deer, moose, and maybe a bear for company. We head into “town”–that can mean very different things in different parts of the country–to restock on supplies and get a shower, and within a day we’re both ready to get back to the solitude again. These days, I get exhausted being around people all the time.

**Working from home the last several years probably doesn’t help my newfound introverted side much. I spend more time alone (or with just the dog) now than I ever used to, which I am PERFECTLY happy about, mind you. I have actually found, now that I’m not around people as much, my patience for them (in parking lots, while driving, in stores) has actually increased. It’s like less exposure to people increases my tolerance level for them! 😂

We hope to someday get property in the Hills. Maybe we’ll live close enough to our neighbors so that we can actually see their house from ours…maybe. 😝 We currently live in town, but at least in the summer, our backyard is walled in by green trees, shrubs, and bushes. I can at least pretend I’m alone. I see pictures of other neighborhoods where the houses are closer together, or the properties aren’t separated by barriers. Or I see pictures in large cities where big buildings block out the sky unless you’re looking straight up. These images just make me cringe! They get my anxious heart pumping! I need room to breathe, ya’ll! (Again, not really my fault. I grew up as a farm girl in Indiana, it only makes sense that I love wide open spaces.) 😁

Granger Smith goes on to say:

Freedom is the miles I’m rollin’ on…
…I feel the wheel like a melody, like a radio dialing in strong
The breeze smells like a summertime hay field’s just been cut
I got the windows down, way out of town singing…

There is freedom on the open road (and the smell of fresh-cut hay is DEVINE!) Don’t just take my word for it. There have been some famous people who have shared my love of it too. John Steinbeck, for example, in his book “Travels with Charlie” (his poodle) comes to mind. In that account, he and Charley enjoy a country-spanning road trip, sleeping out of his truck camper.

Another song that reflects my love for the open road is “My Church”, by Maren Morris. The lyrics of that song state:

…I find holy redemption
When I put this car in drive
Roll the windows down and turn up the dial
Can I get a hallelujah
Can I get an amen
Feels like the Holy Ghost running through ya…
…I find my soul revival…
…Yeah, I guess that’s my church…
…When this wonderful world gets heavy
And I need to find my escape
I just keep the wheel rolling, radio scrolling
‘Til my sins wash away

I get this sentiment. I feel the same way about the open road. I feel refreshed and stimulated when I’m out there. It’s almost a spiritual experience or a spiritual renewal of sorts. I feel so much more relaxed after a good, long drive. It’s like I can breathe again, like I’ve been rejuvenated.

**This is partially why I love being out in nature so much. It’s quiet, it’s natural, it’s solitude, it’s peaceful. You gotta respect it because it can kill you, 😳 but it can also refresh you in a way nothing artificial can. Nature and wide-open vistas are my Xanax!

Oddly enough, I don’t love the Plains because they are too wide open. It’s a bit overwhelming. I love the mountains, but I couldn’t live in them, either. For one thing, the weather can be too extreme. For another, they block the view! I prefer to live in the foothills, they are an almost “Goldilocks”-type region. You get to experience the best of both worlds. The flatter land that leads up to the base of the mountains is open, so you feel like you can breathe, but it doesn’t continue on endlessly. It is reigned in by the rocks (and you can also enjoy mountain views, as well). You also benefit from the protection the monoliths provide from the worst of the weather, and lower altitudes usually also offer more mild weather.

I love taking my car on the winding back roads. It’s fun to drive and it makes you feel like you’re one with the land, it’s like you can finally relax. I LOVE the smells of the country, yes, even “those” smells. Manure is natural too kids! 😉

Below are some more pictures of our travels on the open road. Don’t they just make you feel like you can breathe?:

So, the next time you get the chance, don’t be afraid to get out there and enjoy your own back roads a little!

Do you enjoy long drives in the country? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Yummy Low-Carb Foods

In this post, I review some more yummy, low-carb recipes, stuffed peppers, and spaghetti squash.

Several years ago I attempted a lower-carb lifestyle during my Lenten Fast. Below are some of the recipes I tried, including stuffed peppers, roasted brussle sprouts and spaghetti squash!

Fun low-carb meal ideas!

Stuffed Peppers:

These are AMAZING! (And this is coming from someone who doesn’t even like peppers.) Most people make them with green peppers (I think?) but I chose to go with red, orange, and yellow because–as I mentioned before–I don’t like peppers. 😝 I hoped these would taste sweeter and possibly have a lighter flavor (and they did!) There are numerous recipes for this, some are for enchilada, some for Philly-cheese varieties. I kind of made up my own concoction.

I combined ground turkey with dried onions and garlic salt and then added diced tomatoes (the kind with peppers, onions, and celery mixed in). I cooked all that together, then stuffed them in the peppers that I cut in half and de-seeded. I added a little cheese on top and cooked them for about an hour. (You don’t have to cook them a full hour, it kind of depends on how tender you want your peppers to be. I like them super tender–bordering on soft–so I cook them longer.)

To finish, I added another layer of cheese and baked them a few more minutes to finish them off. (I know, this isn’t exactly paleo-friendly, with the cheese, but it is keto-friendly. Going low-carb is one thing, going low-dairy is something else entirely–a girl has to have some fun in life! 😉) Also, I actually found this dish was better the second day after the spices had time to meld together.

Bottom line, I HIGHLY recommend this one!

Baking container on a stove, with peppers cut in half, stuffed with a meat/veggie mixure and sprinkled with cheese — Before baking

Baking container on a stove, with peppers cut in half, stuffed with a meat/veggie mixure with melted cheese over the top — Ready to eat!

Spaghetti Squash:

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this. The texture is a little different (crunchier) than real pasta, it IS a veggie, after all. 😝 The taste is very mellow as it mostly takes on the flavor of whatever spices or sauces you are using. I’ve heard you can use butternut squash as well, but I haven’t been brave enough to try that one. I like butternut squash, I just worry it’ll be too strong a flavor for “pasta”. I also don’t want to ruin my love of it. 😳

This dish is pretty easy to make once you get the squash cut in half. Just baste it with olive oil, add some garlic, salt, and pepper (or whatever spices/sauces you want), and bake, face-down, for at least 30 minutes, or till desired tenderness. (You should be able to stick a fork clean through the squash, easily. I found 45 minutes seems to work fairly well.)

After baking, you shred the squash–careful, it’s hot!–with a fork. This should be VERY easy, It kind of just strings off, all the way down to the rind. Then I add some sauce and cook it up. I use red sauce, but you could try a thinner, Italian sauce, Balsamic vinegar, an alfredo sauce, or just some more spices. Play with it and find what you like best!

A word of “warning”, these smell like cheese pizza (or at least cheesy breadsticks) while you’re cooking them. Just be prepared for the cooking of this dish to cause lusting for “not-so-low-carb” foods. 😝

The recipe I used for this dish can be found here.

Baking sheet on a stove with yellow squash cut in half and sprinkled with black pepper — Pre-baking

Baking sheet on a stove with browned, yellow squash cut in half and sprinkled with black pepper — Post-baking

Shredded yellow squash in a pan on a stove — Post-shredding

Shredded, red-colored squash on a plate — Final product

Roasted or Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

This one we REALLY enjoyed. It’s a bit of a unique twist on this typical dish, as you don’t use any sweet spices. Instead, I used garlic salt and pepper (the recipe calls for garlic, salt, and pepper). I wasn’t sure how it would taste with the combination of the sweetness of the potato and the spice of the spices, but we REALLY liked it.

The mild, sugary flavor of the potato blends perfectly with the spicy and salty kick of the other seasonings (it reminds me of the combination of a salty pretzel dipped in sweet chocolate). Baked this way, with the peel left on, the peel crisps up and adds a surprising, candied crunch. This also adds a pleasing, sweet flavor to the dish. Mr. Trekker wasn’t too sure about this tuber, as he hasn’t liked it in the past, but he stated he’d happily eat this dish again! Here’s the recipe I used!

Glazed Sweet Potatoes

I also tried sweet potatoes with a cinnamon-sugar glaze. The glaze was DEVINE on the potatoes; however, with all the brown sugar it required I don’t think it would qualify as low-carb. 😔

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

For this dish, I used basically the same recipe as the one I used with the sweet potatoes. Mr. Trekker really liked them, I thought they were ok. I was pleasantly surprised by their mild smell and flavor (I’m not a huge cabbage fan). They had a subtly-sweet aftertaste and the tender, crunchy texture was pleasing. They were a bit “green-veggie”-tasting for me (my palate really struggles with green vegetables). I enjoyed them better mixed with another flavor and texture, such as potatoes or gravy.

Zucchini spaghetti

This one was GROSS! It was mushy and tasted too “green” (although I’ve liked zucchini in the past, prepared on the grill). I ended up eating Cheerios for dinner that night. 😝 I’m not even going to show you a picture of this mushy nastiness, just YUCK!

To be fair, I’ve heard from friends that the problem may be that I used frozen zucchini…well, I bought it at Walmart and that’s how it came! Apparently, if you use it fresh it keeps its texture better but, you still have to deal with all the residual, natural liquid from the vegetable. I think I’m just gonna take their word on that one.

Related posts: Yummy Low-Carb Foods; Yummy Keto-friendly recipes!; Final Thoughts on Low-Carb Lent; A Sustainable Low-carb Lifestyle

To Conclude

One takeaway I’ve had from these “foodie” experiments is that I’m glad we’ve found at least a couple of recipes that we both really enjoy (namely the sweet potatoes and the stuffed peppers). I would rate both of these dishes as “comfort food”. It’s nice to find recipes that are healthy that you also derive a lot of enjoyment from.

One slight annoyance with many of these dishes is the cooking time. Several of them take 30 minutes to 1 hour to cook. However, they’re SUPER easy to make. Many of them only have prep times of around 15 minutes (not including the baking times). The nice thing is, though they take a while to bake, you’re free to get other stuff done while that’s happening (dishes, laundry, pack the kids’ lunch for tomorrow, read a book, write a blog post, 😉 whatever!) 😃

Have you tried any of these recipes? What did you think? Tell me about it in the comments!

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